US3685235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended ceiling system including a grid network
Assignee: BAJER IND Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-21
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A suspended ceiling system which includes a grid network for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels with this network being made up of a plurality of like grid modules. Each grid module is an elongated integrator member in the form of an inverted channel of suitable stiff material, such as aluminum. This inverted channel is defined by a cross web and a pair of transverselyspaced, depending sidewall flanges that are integral with the web and between which a selected utility unit may be mounted at any chosen location by anchoring means, such as screws or snap-in fasteners, parts of which are carried by or formed in these depending flanges, or bolts extending through the web. The bottom edges of these channel sidewall flanges carry integral outwardlyextending, panel-supporting flanges. The web has a pair of integral, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges with their opposed lateral edges spaced apart to provide an intervening longitudinal access slot, the space defined by these L-shaped flanges and the web constituting an elongated track for receiving and holding nuts of anchoring bolts at any selected points. The inverted channel also may have integral with its web a second pair of such inverted L-shaped flanges located laterally outward of the first pair to house the latter with the legs of the second pair connected to the web outside of those of the first pair and in alignment with the depending channel sidewall flanges. The portion of the web within the legs of the first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges may be depressed below the web flanking portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Marshall Ira Lang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:33
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/064; A; A47; A47H; A47H1/00; A47H1/04; A47H1/10; A47H1/104; E04B9/006; E04B9/008; E04B9/02; E04B9/12; E04B9/14; F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/02; F24F13/06; F24F13/072; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
365 words
In a suspended ceiling system which includes a grid network for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels and a variety of types of utility units, a grid module comprising 1. an elongated integrator member which is adapted to have its ends connected to those of other like integrator members together to define the grid network, with said member having a. an inverted channel defined by a cross web and a pair of transversely-spaced, depending sidewall flanges adapted to receive therebetween a selected utility unit, b. means provided on said inverted channel to anchor therein at any chosen location such utility unit, and c. a pair of lateral and outwardly-extending panel-supporting flanges with one thereof permanently connected to the outer side of each of said depending channel sidewall flanges in the vicinity of the bottom edge of the latter, characterized by 2. a first pair of elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges permanently connected to said channel web and said depending sidewall flanges, with the opposed lateral edges of said L-shaped flanges being spaced apart laterally to define an intervening longitudinal access slot, said web and said L-shaped flanges together defining a first elongated track for receiving and holding anchoring means at any selected point; and 3. a second pair of sAid elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges having a. their opposed lateral flanges located upwardly of those of said first pair of L-shaped flanges and transversely spaced apart to define an intervening longitudinal access slot substantially aligned with that of this first pair, and b. their legs permanently connected to said channel web, said depending sidewall flanges and the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges, whereby the longitudinal space between said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges and the opposed lateral edges of said first pair of L-shaped flanges constitutes a second, upper, elongated track which is located upward of said first elongated track and extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the latter, said second track and the opposed lateral edges of this second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being adapted to receive and anchor to said integrator member anchoring means of a selected utility unit and other equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
365 words
In a suspended ceiling system which includes a grid network for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels and a variety of types of utility units, a grid module comprising 1. an elongated integrator member which is adapted to have its ends connected to those of other like integrator members together to define the grid network, with said member having a. an inverted channel defined by a cross web and a pair of transversely-spaced, depending sidewall flanges adapted to receive therebetween a selected utility unit, b. means provided on said inverted channel to anchor therein at any chosen location such utility unit, and c. a pair of lateral and outwardly-extending panel-supporting flanges with one thereof permanently connected to the outer side of each of said depending channel sidewall flanges in the vicinity of the bottom edge of the latter, characterized by 2. a first pair of elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges permanently connected to said channel web and said depending sidewall flanges, with the opposed lateral edges of said L-shaped flanges being spaced apart laterally to define an intervening longitudinal access slot, said web and said L-shaped flanges together defining a first elongated track for receiving and holding anchoring means at any selected point; and 3. a second pair of sAid elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges having a. their opposed lateral flanges located upwardly of those of said first pair of L-shaped flanges and transversely spaced apart to define an intervening longitudinal access slot substantially aligned with that of this first pair, and b. their legs permanently connected to said channel web, said depending sidewall flanges and the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges, whereby the longitudinal space between said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges and the opposed lateral edges of said first pair of L-shaped flanges constitutes a second, upper, elongated track which is located upward of said first elongated track and extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the latter, said second track and the opposed lateral edges of this second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being adapted to receive and anchor to said integrator member anchoring means of a selected utility unit and other equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
a first pair of elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges permanently connected to said channel web and said depending sidewall flanges, with the opposed lateral edges of said L-shaped flanges being spaced apart laterally to define an intervening longitudinal access slot, said web and said L-shaped flanges together defining a first elongated track for receiving and holding anchoring means at any selected point; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
a first pair of elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges permanently connected to said channel web and said depending sidewall flanges, with the opposed lateral edges of said L-shaped flanges being spaced apart laterally to define an intervening longitudinal access slot, said web and said L-shaped flanges together defining a first elongated track for receiving and holding anchoring means at any selected point; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
In the suspended ceiling system of claim 1 the combination of said grid network and such selected utility unit with the latter nested within the space of a selected one of said inverted channel integrator members between the sidewall flanges thereof and anchored therein by utility unit anchor means at the chosen location, said anchor means being provided on said web and extending through the latter into said first track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 characterized by one of a plurality of junctions in said grid network where four of said inverted channel integrator members are joined together in cruciform pattern with their abutted opposed ends therein being angularly shaped to points which closely interfit, a cruciform connector plate having each of its four arms respectively located in said second upper elongated track and overlaying the opposed lateral edges of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges and said first elongated track defined therebelow of one of said channel members and anchored thereto by an anchorage including a member slidably mounted in said first track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
a second pair of sAid elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges having a. their opposed lateral flanges located upwardly of those of said first pair of L-shaped flanges and transversely spaced apart to define an intervening longitudinal access slot substantially aligned with that of this first pair, and b. their legs permanently connected to said channel web, said depending sidewall flanges and the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges, whereby the longitudinal space between said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges and the opposed lateral edges of said first pair of L-shaped flanges constitutes a second, upper, elongated track which is located upward of said first elongated track and extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the latter, said second track and the opposed lateral edges of this second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being adapted to receive and anchor to said integrator member anchoring means of a selected utility unit and other equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
a second pair of sAid elongated, transversely-spaced, upstanding and opposed, inverted L-shaped flanges having a. their opposed lateral flanges located upwardly of those of said first pair of L-shaped flanges and transversely spaced apart to define an intervening longitudinal access slot substantially aligned with that of this first pair, and b. their legs permanently connected to said channel web, said depending sidewall flanges and the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges, whereby the longitudinal space between said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges and the opposed lateral edges of said first pair of L-shaped flanges constitutes a second, upper, elongated track which is located upward of said first elongated track and extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the latter, said second track and the opposed lateral edges of this second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being adapted to receive and anchor to said integrator member anchoring means of a selected utility unit and other equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as defined in claim 3 characterized by each of said inverted channel integrator members having the connector plate arm which overlays said first track being slidably fitted between the upstanding legs of said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination as defined in claim 4 characterized by a plurality of said cruciform connector plates, one in each of said grid network junctions, each of said cruciform connector plates having a central portion provided with hanger means for overhead suspension of said grid network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The grid module as defined in claim 1 characterized by the legs of said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being permanently connected to said channel web at the junctions therewith of said depending sidewall flanges to form upward continuations of the latter, the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being connected to said web laterally inward of the legs of said second pair of inverted L-shaped flanges with said first pair of L-shaped flanges nested within the longitudinal space defined between said second pair of L-shaped flanges and said web.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The grid module as defined in claim 6 characterized by the longitudinal section of said web which intervenes the legs of said first pair of inverted L-shaped flanges being longitudinally recessed to drop a portion of the track that is within said first pair of L-shaped flanges below longitudinal flanking portions of said web.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |